ANI HAUMAHA ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY
Veteran Vantage Black Sticks participant Aniwaka Haumaha (née Roberts) has introduced her retirement, ending the newest chapter in a exceptional profession. With 85 caps below her belt, Haumaha has been a valued workforce member and an inspiration for the subsequent era of gamers coming by means of.
Haumaha made headlines final 12 months when she was named within the Vantage Black Sticks squad for the 2022 Ladies’s Hockey World Cup and Commonwealth Video games, marking her triumphant return to the workforce after taking day off to have two kids.
Reflecting on the highlights of her profession, Haumaha shared, “coming again was the primary spotlight after having two youngsters. That was a particular second being named to return again into the Black Sticks setting.
“The second spotlight for me was really attending a World Cup and Commonwealth Video games as a result of I didn’t get to try this the primary time round.”
Vantage Black Sticks assistant coach Verity Sharland praised Haumaha for her distinctive mixture of on-field expertise and off-field character.
“Ani is a really particular particular person, not solely with how she performs the sport, but in addition what she does off the sector. Folks don’t typically see Ani’s strengths in motion as a result of she is at all times searching for others.
“She’s one among our most managed and composed defenders, and that’s why we’ve at all times beloved her. She brings this factor of calmness, which for younger gamers is admittedly vital.”
Affectionately known as Auntie by her teammates, Haumaha is widely known for her caring and loving nature. “I care about these women. I care about them on and off the sector. That in all probability comes from being a mum now and sharing that love with these women as a result of they turn into my household away from my precise household,” she mentioned.
When requested about what legacy Haumaha leaves behind, Sharland mentioned, “it’s a powerful legacy. Ani has overcome a number of adversity in her profession. Whereas I’ve solely been a small a part of her journey, it’s a reasonably particular one. She was integral when it comes to what we created in 2022 and in bringing the workforce collectively. That’s what I’ll keep in mind her for.”
Haumaha additionally provided some recommendation to the subsequent era of gamers, “there’s a great distance and there’s a giant journey forward for these women, they usually simply have to stay it out.
“There’s gonna be ups and downs, however when the time involves put on the black shirt, all they need to do is worth it, cherish it, and take advantage of it.”
Wanting forward, Haumaha is worked up to spend extra time together with her household, give attention to her profession, and luxuriate in life exterior {of professional} hockey.
“I’m going to cherish having the time again with my youngsters and my husband. I haven’t had a number of time with him during the last 12 months and a half. I’m going to in all probability spend a little bit bit extra time at work and work my method up the management ladder there. Nonetheless perform a little little bit of hockey at times, and simply get pleasure from life.”